The Independent Republic of the Canongate - tells the stories behind the PR spin of the developers, the architects, politicians and council officials here in Edinburgh, the UK and the world

Saturday, 22 March 2008

Easter Greetings

My 3 year old daughter chose this photo, she`s very excited as we`re off on our Easter Holiday for a week.... where the `C` word is not to be mentioned.If any news pops up Cat will keep you all posted, but in the meantime its important to keep up the pressure on those who can help save Edinburgh from this terrible threat that looms over the city.

So if you have time between chocolate eggs do get writing...

To Stop Caltongate individuals and organisationsneed to Act NowAll Planning Applications have been passed (last one Weds 5th March 08)They are now presented to ministers.You do not have to live in Edinburgh to show your concerns and that Caltongate should be stopped.

Write, using the following guiding points as well as your own in all letters to the following individuals and organisations.

It is understood that all the Caltongate Planning Applications must be sent to ministers under the Notification of Applications procedures for a number of reasons -

1. The council has a significant financial interest in the proposed applications and stands to receive financial payment on the delivery of planning consent.

2. The proposals ( in particular the demolition of structurally sound, in use buildings, both listed and unlisted in an Outstanding Conservation Area and World Heritage Site) conflict with key policies contained in the approved Structure and Local Plans and as such is a significant departure from the Development Plan.

3. There have been a significant level of objections received from community organisations and heritage groups in addition to the numerous individuals.

4. New legislation, policies, planning guidance is at a crucial stage and the proposals could set a dangerous precedent which would prejudice the effectiveness of these new policies.

5. The Caltongate Masterplan has been imbedded in the Finalised Local Plan for the area which has provoked many objections which have been requested to be heard at a LPI. The protection of listed and unlisted buildings, reference to the World Heritage Site, protection of housing and has yet to be tested through the Development Plan process.

6. The consultation process has been heavily critisised as not being inclusive, balanced or transparent and conflicts with new government guidance on growing community assets, partnership working, and community engagement.

7. The site lies in an area with international importance, a World Heritage Site.

8. This is a crucial time to send out the right message to developers.

9. The claimed economic benefits of the scheme could equally be made for a far more appropriate scheme, retaining homes and listed buildings, and with a far less detrimental impact on the WHS.

1. Write to the following Scottish Ministers urging them that Caltongate be called in and determination sought through a public inquiryCabinet Secretary John Swinney Minister for - Finance & Sustainable GrowthLinda Fabiani - Minister for Europe, External Affairs Affairs & Culture

2. You should also write to your constituency and regional MSPs find them here MSP FINDER by your postcode urging them that Caltongate should be called in and a Public Inquiry held.

3. You can also write to your MP and MEPS Find MP and MEPS (Scottish ones are listed even although it doesn’t say on home page, you just enter your postcode and they will appear)

4. You could also write to your local councillor(s) (although yours may be one of the planning committee that voted the plans through on the 6th Feb! (check here) asking them to write to The Scottish Government to press for for call in and determination through the Public Inquiry System.All councillors emails or write to them C/O The City of Edinburgh Council, City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJFind your councillorsAmong points you could make are the following, do add your own and include any material you feel important, especially if you think it hasn`t been considered, and do let others know they can do this too.

5. You should also write to ICOMOS UK as its ICOMOS who advises UNESCO International Council on Monuments & Sites UK, 70 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EJ Email mail@icomos-uk.org

6. You should also inform UNESCO The List of World Heritage in Danger is designed to inform the international community of conditions which threaten the very characteristics for which a property was inscribed on the World Heritage List, and to encourage corrective action.Edinburgh`s Inscription Edinburgh World Heritage Trust

See Latest on Bath at RiskPrivate individuals, non-governmental organizations, or other groups can draw the World Heritage Committee's attention to existing threats. If the alert is justified and the problem serious enough, the Committee may consider including the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.To inform the World Heritage Committee about threats to sites, Committee's Secretariat at: